Dolphins Dumped in Division Draw

The New York Jets joined the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots atop the AFC East. New York finished off the Dolphins in a 31-23 week three victory Sunday night in Miami. Dustin Keller grabbed a pair of touchdowns and Braylon Edwards had 87 receiving yards to pave the way for the 2-1 Jets, who forced Miami out of first place. Edwards hauled in a 67 yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez to give New York the lead for good in the third quarter. Running back, Ladainian Tomlinson capped off the night with a one yard touchdown run with 1:55 remaining in the contest.
Chad Henne completed 26-of-44 passes for the Dolphins and had his best game of the season in Miami’s first loss. Henne spread the ball to seven different receivers and twice found the end zone for touchdowns. The Miami signal caller struggled through the first quarter against the Jets typically stout coverage in the red zone. He seemingly missed a touchdown when he overthrew former Ohio State wideout, Brian Hartline, on the game’s first drive. Former Dolphin, Jason Taylor, sacked Henne in the first quarter to damage the drive for Miami. Henne improved, going 9-of-10 through the air as the Dolphins got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter.
Sanchez was brilliant for the second week in a row for Gang Green. The USC alum tied a career-high with three touchdown passes and tossed for 256 yards in his third consecutive start without a pick. Sanchez hooked up with Keller on a 24 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to put the Jets ahead 7-0. The Jets’ quarterback connected with Keller again in the second quarter on a 12 yard pass and 14-0 New York edge. The Dolphins answered with 17 straight points, including a three yard pass from Henne to Anthony Fasano and a Dan Carpenter 44 yard kick that cut the Jets’ lead to four points at the half. The Jets defense didn’t blitz Henne and the Dolphins’ offensive line protected the quarterback long enough for him to make plays.
Ricky Williams fumbled the football in the third quarter for Miami, but a replay challenged overturned the call and the Dolphins proceeded down the field to the end zone. Henne sparkled, converting three third downs before completing a 11 yard pass to Brandon Marshall. Marshall had his best game since arriving in Miami via Denver. The receiver led all players with 166 yards on ten receptions. With Miami clinging to a 17-14 advantage, the Jets launched a one-play drive midway through the third quarter to forge ahead. Sanchez hit his maligned receiver on an out route down the left sideline for his third touchdown of the game.
Carpenter footed a 20 yard field goal to end the third quarter scoring and pull Miami within a point of tying the game. After a Miami blocked punt, Jets’ placekicker, Nick Folk, planted a 30 yard field goal through the uprights with eight minutes remaining in the final stanza. The field goal exchanges continued with Carpenter’s third, a lengthy 50 yarder that again cut New York’s lead to one. But the defense from New York stopped Miami’s offense to fend off their last attempt. The Jets stopped the Dolphiins on four consecutive plays in the red zone, culminating with a Drew Coleman interception of Henne. Tomlinson pounded home the final touchdown of the night to seal the deal for Gang Green.

Parting Points: Song for Monday- “Green Grow the Rushes” by REM

Happy Birthday to Michael Jack Schmidt.